The Mail Order Bride's Secret

by Linda Broday

  “I see. This isn’t a bad place to look at the sky. I sometimes come up here to think.”

  “Was that what you intended—to think?” Her gaze strayed to the shovel.

  “No, not this time.”

  She wrinkled her forehead in thought. “Oh. Then I guess I’ll go back down. All the animals the children caught got loose a little while ago, and it was chaos. Maybe they need my help. I’ll leave you to whatever it is you came to do.” Her voice caught on a strange hiccup.

  For a moment he saw her insecurity and loneliness—the poor little girl with a father more interested in the next target to con than in his own flesh and blood.

  “It’s better if you don’t know.”

  Her head jerked in a nod, and she turned.

  Tait reached out to stop her. “On second thought, what I was doing isn’t important. Stay and talk to me. We can catch that sunset.”

  Melanie brightened. “Are you sure?”

  “Positive. That spot where we stood to say our vows is nice.” With a hand on her back, he led her to the flat ground where his life had changed. In fact, he found it hard to recall the years between Lucy and Melanie. Everything had blurred, and most nights had seen him fall into a whiskey bottle.

  “You can sit on my coat.” He removed his frock coat.

  “It’ll get dirty,” she protested. “My dress has seen better days. It won’t matter.”

  “Who cares? I won’t have my wife sitting on the ground,” he said softly. “Which brings me to wonder about something. I would think a lady gambler would dress all fancy-like, in silks and satins. Yet you only have a couple of cotton dresses. Why is that?”

  She lowered her eyes and picked at a loose thread. The silence grew loud until finally she spoke. “I hit a run of bad luck and fell on hard times. I traded my fancy clothes for things I needed more.”

  He spread his coat, and she lowered herself down without further protest. “Between Claire’s and John’s murders and the new house, I fear I’ve neglected you.” He sat beside her and whispered in her ear. “When we go back to the hotel, you’ll find a little surprise.”

  The satin dress he’d ordered from Mrs. Dunn’s dressmaking shop in Tascosa had arrived by stage that afternoon, and he couldn’t wait to see her wear it. And to see how closely the fabric resembled her eyes.

  “You’re spoiling me.”

  “Not near enough.” He put an arm around her, and she rested her head on his shoulder. It fit perfectly in the hollow below his collarbone, a place that seemed made specifically for her. “You deserve a lot more for putting up with me and the kids.”

  “Oh hush! I love my life here.”

  The sun set low on the horizon, and they talked about their house and how they’d furnish it with all the latest styles.

  “I already know the wallpaper for the parlor. I once saw a stunning light-blue swirl design in a hotel in San Antonio.”

  “Draw the design as best you can recall, and I’ll send for it. Which reminds me, I should also order the cookstove you want so that it gets here on time.”

  They talked a little more about the house, then Tait switched subjects. “I heard some news that Sam Houston’s son, Temple, was appointed district attorney in Mobeetie. That should clean out the riffraff over there, but it makes my situation more dangerous. From all accounts, Temple Houston is a tough man. The Panhandle is becoming too settled.” Tait let out a worried sigh. “I feel a noose tightening around my neck.”

  Worry crossed her eyes, ancient eyes that seemed to hold secrets. “Then we have to find a way to get you a pardon like Clay and Jack. Tait, do you think if you offered to return the train loot, they’d forgive your crimes?”

  Tait studied the stitching on his boots. “There’s no forgiving what I’ve done.”

  “Please don’t think that way.”

  “Markham wants me to pay dearly. He wants to take more than land and people from me. I have a bad feeling nothing will satisfy him. We may have to uproot and move farther west.”

  “If that will keep you safe, you should consider it.”

  “I’d hate to leave here, leave Jack and Clay.”

  “I know. I’ve also gotten close to the women in town. They’ve been my first real friends.”

  They lapsed into silence, watching the changeable sky start to darken. While the sky was clear where they sat, a summer storm built off to the west. Tait felt as though that storm was about to swallow him up. Melanie seemed just as unsettled.

  “I want to stay up here and pretend that nothing bad can touch us. That we really can have whatever we want.” Her words came no louder than a whisper.

  He tightened his hold and kissed the top of her head. “I never was much good at pretending.”

  The swirling oranges and plums of the sunset took his breath away. He was glad she’d followed him and they could share the brilliant hues from up high like this.

  But how many more sunsets would they have?

  Dread clenched in his chest as he watched the storm grow closer.

  * * *

  By the time Melanie and Tait picked up Becky from the Colbys, it had gotten dark. Melanie apologized. “I’m sorry for leaving her so long. We were taking a moment to watch the sunset.”

  Tally chuckled. “Not to worry. Violet and I enjoyed having her. She’s such a dear child, and she loves playing with Dillon.”

  Tait lowered his mouth to Melanie’s ear. “I told you so.”

  Her skin prickled with him so near. How she’d loved spending time with him.

  He swung Becky up into his arms. “Are you ready to go, honey?”

  “Me play.” She puckered up and kissed his cheek. “Love you.”

  “I love you too.”

  The tenderness between Becky and Tait made Melanie’s heart ache. He made a wonderful father. If only his child hadn’t died.

  If only life played fair and didn’t force people to make horrible choices.

  They said their goodbyes and collected the boys on the way to the hotel. The only bit of clean skin on Joe and Jesse was around their eyes; the rest was nothing but dirt. They looked like reverse versions of one of their blasted raccoons.

  While Tait took them to bathe, Melanie went into the bedroom with Becky. A large box sat on the bed, a big red ribbon around it. Melanie sucked in a breath.

  Becky made an O with her mouth. “Pwetty.”

  “Yes, it is, honey.” Melanie fingered the bow, wondering what was inside. Though she burned with curiosity, she’d wait for Tait.

  While she killed time, she wondered what Tait had been planning to dig up on top of the bluff. Logic told her it was the money. How could she sneak back up there to look around without the kids? A guilty conscience pricked. He’d given her so much. And yet she had to make a plan.

  He soon returned with the boys. “Well? Did you like it?”

  Melanie rose from the sofa. “I waited for you. Boys, bring me that box on the bed.”

  They sprang to their feet and returned with it. Joe held it out. “Here you go, Aunt Mellie.”

  She untied the bow and removed the lid. Nestled under a layer of thin paper lay a breathtaking satin dress. The deep turquoise would bring out the blue of her eyes. She let out a soft cry and held it up against herself.

  Tait had leaned back on the sofa, his legs stretched out in front of him in a relaxed pose. “Do you like it?”

  “Oh, Tait.” His face was blurry through the tears that sprang to her eyes. “This is beautiful. Much too fine for around here. Wherever will I wear it?”

  “Don’t let on that you know, but the word is that we’re having a town dance in a few weeks.” He winked then rose and sauntered over to her, his eyes smoldering like embers ready to catch fire. “I wanted to give you something pretty to wear.”

  “You certainly did.” She la
id a hand against his jaw. “I can’t wait.”

  “I’m going to enjoy showing you off. You’ll be the prettiest lady there.”

  For a moment, they were the only ones in the room. She was caught in Tait’s gray stare, and something strange and wonderful stirred inside her.

  “Aww, shoot! Can we go eat now?” Joe whined.

  “I’m starving!” Jesse exclaimed. “And it’s thundering outside. Probably raining by now.”

  Becky hung onto Tait’s leg. “Me eat.”

  Tait laughed and lunged for the twins. They screamed and ran. He chased Becky instead, and she let out a shrill scream too.

  The suite turned into pure bedlam, but joy at being part of it spilled from Melanie’s heart.

  After a minute or two, she stuck two fingers in her mouth and gave a loud whistle. “Time out. We need to eat.”

  Joe gave her an envious stare. “How did you do that?”

  “What? Whistle?” It was the only tomboyish thing she’d ever done. Hugh, a friend of her father’s, had taught her behind Mac’s back. He’d been like an uncle to her and to Ava, and she’d grown very fond of him. One dark, foggy night, someone took his life.

  “How did you do it? Will you teach me and Jesse?”

  “Sure, I guess.” She beamed and went to lay the new dress on the bed.

  After they ate supper, she spent until bedtime teaching the boys to whistle. Even little Becky tried her darnedest. The children fell into bed exhausted and seemingly happy. Funny how her feelings about children had changed from when she’d first arrived. They did cause a lot of extra work, but they made up for it in the sunshine they brought to each day.

  That said, she still didn’t want Tait to ride off and be gone for long periods, leaving their care solely to her. Nope. She wasn’t having that.

  She stood in the doorway of the children’s room with Tait watching them sleep. “We’re doing okay, aren’t we?”

  He pulled her close, and she thought she heard his heart beating steady and strong. “Yeah, better than okay.”

  They backed out of the room, and he kissed her long and deep. Her head spun, and she hung onto her outlaw for all she was worth. Maybe the best life was made up of a lot of little meaningful moments that brought so much happiness and satisfaction rather than large ones that came few and far between.

  Seventeen

  The sun rose and peeked into their bedroom window. Melanie woke, surprised to find Tait still in bed and staring at her with his quicksilver gaze. She became acutely aware that she wore nothing under the covers. “Good morning.”

  He lazily smiled and lifted a lock of her hair. “Why is it that you look so beautiful this early in the day?”

  “I don’t think you have your eyes open.” She laughed. “I’m sure I look a mess. You didn’t even give me time last night to braid my hair.”

  Memories of their lovemaking brought heat to her face. They’d done things she never had before. Whoever had taught Tait to use his mouth that way had done an excellent job. She’d never forget the breathtaking shudders that had left her feeling utterly boneless. The heat in his gaze right now was enough to send her back to that shattering light.

  One touch here, a kiss there, a slow deliberate breath over her skin and she’d be spasming again.

  “The complaint department isn’t open yet,” he murmured against her lips. He made her feel safe and cherished. For the first time in her life, she didn’t have to pretend things she didn’t feel.

  She sighed and curled against his side, wondering how he managed to turn her topsy-turvy with a mere kiss. Her heart raced, and a low vibration beginning in her belly set every nerve ending humming, growing louder as it rose. She reached between their bodies and closed a hand around him. He gave a slight jerk, and his heartbeat pulsed against her fingers.

  “My darling, I’m not complaining one bit,” she purred. “I don’t care what my hair looks like when you’re next to me. You have something I need.”

  A quick move and he had her pinned beneath him, her breasts grazing his chest, his lips sealed to hers. Ragged breathing filled the silence in the bedroom.

  The doorknob turned, thankfully stopped by the lock.

  “Aren’t y’all up yet?” one of the boys asked.

  Tait groaned and rolled off. “Just about. We’re getting dressed and will be out in a minute.”

  “Eat,” Becky said.

  Melanie threw back the covers. “Okay, honey, give us a second. What are you all doing up so early?”

  “Sawyer knocked on the door. He said Miss Nora’s having her baby.”

  “Oh good.” She yanked on her petticoats, trying to pull her stare away from Tait’s perfect backside as he reached for his trousers. It proved impossible, especially when he gave her a full frontal view.

  What she wouldn’t give for a few more minutes. But they had obligations. Her thoughts still on Tait’s fine body—beautiful despite his many scars—she dragged her attention back to dressing.

  She didn’t know what she could do to help, since she wasn’t at all versed in midwifery, but she could at least keep Willow for them.

  Tait drew her against him at the door and gave her a sound kiss. “We’ll finish this another time.”

  “Count on it.” She just prayed that it wouldn’t be too long. Her outlaw was finally getting the hang of marriage.

  But what good was it when it wouldn’t last?

  * * *

  Tait and the men worked with the children and their circus, but his thoughts kept coming back to Mellie and her luscious body. She could make him sit up and beg. He’d never thought he could care for any woman, not after Lucy, but now he welcomed all the emotion that flooded over him. Mellie made him feel alive again and gave him a reason to wake up sober in the mornings.

  Recollection of their previous night’s passion and interrupted morning filled his head, making his blood hot in his veins. Tait grinned. She was a bold woman and wasn’t afraid to try anything. He’d never had more satisfying lovemaking.

  He caught sight of her walking across the compound with Becky and Willow, his gaze following the gentle sway of her hips.

  “You’ve got it bad for your wife,” Hondo commented with a laugh, shaking his head.

  Tait shrugged. “It’s called marriage. Maybe you ought to try it.”

  “Haven’t found the right woman. I almost did—once—but she took off with the town undertaker.”

  The men jostled Hondo and kidded him unmercifully.

  Earl Berringer called a taunt, trying to bait Melanie into responding, but she ignored him and kept walking. Smart lady.

  His thoughts turned to the rotten Berringers. Earl seemed to know a lot about Melanie’s father.

  Selling information? Keeping an eye on someone for them?

  Melanie admitted that Mac Dunbar was a swindler and con. Maybe Mac had seen a way to make some easy money? She’d claimed he wasn’t afraid of the devil himself where a profit beckoned.

  Shoot if Tait knew. His gaze swung to the town’s entrance. Satisfied the guard was on duty, Tait turned his focus to helping Jesse and Joe make pairs of stilts. His nephews did seem to have quite a bit of natural ability for using their hands and training animals.

  By noon more news came—Rebel had gone into labor. The women were running back and forth between her house and Nora’s. Two babies born in one day was a first for Hope’s Crossing.

  “Care to make a wager as to who gives birth first?” Tait asked the men.

  “Sure.” Clay pulled out two bits. “My money’s on Rebel, even though Nora started first. Rebel carved out a life by not messing around.”

  “I’ll take Nora.” Ridge added his money to the pot.

  Jack grinned. “Nora will have my hide, but I have to bet on Rebel.”

  Each man joined in, even Brother Paul an
d the schoolmaster, Todd Denver. When work was done for the morning, they took the kids to the café for lunch. The noise level there nearly deafened Tait. He yearned to saddle up and go riding, far away from crowds.

  But he didn’t. He wouldn’t shirk his duty.

  That afternoon, Travis Lassiter brought word to the men who’d gathered around the community fire that Rebel had given birth to a boy. The man was grinning from ear to ear. “I always wanted another son.”

  “Got a name picked out?” Tait asked.

  “Rafe. After my brother.”

  “Rafe Lassiter—nice ring to it,” Clay clapped him on the back. “We’ll have to celebrate. I think I can dig up a cigar or two.”

  “Beat you to it.” Travis held out a box of cigars and passed them around amid congratulations.

  An hour later, the door to Jack’s house opened, and the former outlaw strode out. The big smile that covered half his face said he had news. He walked straight for the group, never breaking stride.

  Tait greeted him. “Let us have it. Rebel just had a boy. What’s yours?”

  “A girl. I guess we lost the bet.” Jack didn’t seem that heartbroken.

  “You old dog!” Tait bumped his arm. “You name her yet?”

  “Hope Marie Bowdre.” Jack took a cigar from Travis’s box and lit it. “Whew! I’m glad that’s over. My nerves can settle now.”

  Sid Truman laughed. “Just wait until you have ten or twelve like me.”

  “No, thank you. Nora and I are probably done.”

  “You know, I said that same thing once.” Sid’s laughter faded. “Martha threatens me with the rolling pin now every time I get close to her.”

  Tait listened to the men joke, wondering if he and Melanie would one day have a child of their own. He’d sort of like having a boy to carry on his name.

  But that couldn’t come until Kern Berringer was dead and buried.

  He thought about the drawings Hondo had made of the killers’ horses’ prints. Each time a new rider came into town, Tait checked their horse against the drawings, and they all stayed vigilant for any gray-haired men with big ears and hound-dog bags under their eyes who stood six foot six. He didn’t know all the Berringers by sight. Some he’d never crossed paths with before, and it would be easy for them to slip into the town unchallenged.